Fat necrosis breast

Case contributed by Garth Kruger
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Previous segmental resection left breast for IDC.

Patient Data

Gender: Female
mammography

This is typical appearance of fat necrosis post surgery. On the coned view note how the calcifications of fat necrosis could be confused with DCIS for instance.

ultrasound

The ultrasound image of the exact same area of fat necrosis seen in the MLO view above. The orientation is along the long axis of the fat necrosis, obliquely along the breast. 

Case Discussion

The density of the fat necrosis on ultrasound can vary quite significantly from completely translucent to multiple low level echos as in this case. Skin superficial and pectoral muscle deep exactly as in the mammogram image.

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